Mysterious Deaths Of Orangutans Being Investigated

Palangka Raya, Central Kalimantan, Sept 20 (Antara) - The Central Kalimantan Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) is investigating the mysterious deaths of several orangutans in the West and East Kotawaringin districts in collaboration with the local police. Five orangutans were recently found dead and their deaths were suspected to have been a result of human and other factors, Toto Sutiyoso of the provincial BKSDA said on Thursday. "Autopsies have been performed on the orangutans` remains to find out the cause of their deaths. The Central Kalimantan Police have conducted field investigations at the scene where the orangutans were found dead," he added. Local residents had reported the deaths of the four orangutans in Pangkalan Bun, West Kotawaringin and another one in Sampit, East Kotawaringin. Several people were believed to have been aware of the reasons behind the orangutans` deaths, but had refused to divulge any information to the authorities. "Two weeks ago, we sent letters to some people who knew about the deaths of the orangutans, but they did not come. We plan to send letters again next week, asking them to come," Sutiyoso stated. However, an NGO reported that one of the orangutans had most likely been killed near the plantation of PT Bumi Langgeng Perdana Prada in Skonyer Kobar. The agency could not confirm the deaths of the five orangutans because the results of the autopsies had not been received yet.